Attention All Planets of the Solar Federation ...

RUSH R40 LIVE TOUR After 35 shows, 34 cities and 3 unforgettable months, Rush's North American tour unfortunately came to a close August 1st at The Forum in Los Angeles. Get updates and the setlist along with photos, video, reviews and reports here.

The July, 2015 issue of Classic Rock includes a cover feature on Rush along with new interviews with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson where they discuss the future of the band and a possible extension of the R40 Live tour ...

Alex Lifeson talks R40 Live tour and Rush's future plans in new Canadian Press interview: "we're not finished as a band". Details here.

Alex Lifeson appeared on the Renman Live web show on Wednesday, April 22nd. Get all the details and watch the entire interview here.

UPDATE - 8/2@9:20AM: Here's a video of Working Man from last night's show including the goodbyes at the end. Neil snapped a few photos from behind his kit before the band broke into the Garden Road riff. Geddy starts talking and then Neil sneaks out onto the stage and hugs his bandmates. Here's what Geddy says:

Thank you so much Los Angeles! On behalf of the greatest crew and organization in the world ... *pauses to pose with his bandmates* ... On behalf of our whole organization - thank you United States of America for 40 awesome years. And I do hope we'll meet again sometime. Bye bye!

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UPDATE - 8/2@9:10AM: The Canadian Consulate in LA had a little pre-show reception for Rush before the Irvine show and posted a short video to Twitter of the guys saying a few words (thanks Cheese Pavilion):

UPDATE - 8/2@9:02AM:Other than Losing It, there were no other special surprises last night. Although Neil Peart did join Geddy and Alex to wave goodbye to the crowd at the end of the show rather than doing his usual sprint to the door as seen in this photo. Thanks for a great tour Rush!

UPDATE - 8/2@12:29AM: They went from Tom Sawyer into Red Barchetta to start the second set, so it does indeed look like setlist F.

UPDATE - 8/2@12:09AM: The band should be returning from intermission for the 2nd set soon. John over at Cygnus-X1.net already has a growing gallery of photos posted. As I'd mentioned already, it looks like they are playing setlist F - we should have a better idea after the 2nd song of set 2.

UPDATE - 8/1@11:44PM: ... and next up is Losing It with Jonny Dinklage on electric violin!! They should play Subdivisions next to close out the 1st set.

UPDATE - 8/1@10:59PM: They went right from opening with The Anarchist into Headlong Flight, which pretty much confirms that we'll get one of the D-E-F-G sets as expected.

UPDATE - 8/1@9:55PM: Bubbles (aka Mike Smith) from The Trailer Park Boys was at RushCon today and I assume will also be at the show. Hmm... could he possibly be making a guest appearance at some point for a certain song?

UPDATE - 8/1@2:53PM: The LA Times just posted a short interview with Geddy Lee where he talks about fitness and his training routine:

I have to say I don't enjoy training. For me it's a necessary evil because I'm an active person whether I'm preparing for a tour or not. My wife and I do a lot of travel and walking and biking, and I refuse to give into the ravages of time. ... It's been night and day for the stage performances. Working out has been such a benefit to my life in general, but on stage I have much more energy and flexibility to do the activity I like to do on stage. And, more importantly, at the end of a show I'm not completely done in like I used to be.

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UPDATE - 8/1@2:50PM: As promised, Kevin J. Anderson just unveiled the cover for his new Rush-themed short story anthology 2113 at his RushCon appearance. Thanks Kelly D for the photo/report.

After 35 shows, 34 cities and 3 unforgettable months, Rush's North American R40 Live tour will unfortunately come to a close tonight at The Forum in Los Angeles. After this point, it's anybody's guess as to what the future holds for the band, but I have a feeling we will see Rush perform again in some shape or form somewhere down the road. Here's what Alex Lifeson had to say about the tour and the band's future in his recent interview with Eddie Trunk:

... I think in my gut that this is probably the last major tour that we'll do. I'd like to think that we'll do specialty gigs, maybe a week in New York or something like that. But we haven't even discussed that. We just want to get through this tour and see where we're at. We want to discuss whether we want to make another record anytime soon. ... Whatever this tour is, it's not the end of the band. It's just kind of reviewing where we're at in terms of major tours. ... Whatever it is - if it is the end of touring - I feel good that we're at least playing as well as we are, that we've developed a show that's really quite something in terms of our historical story and it's nice to go out on a note like that. ...

Rather than dwell on the future too much, let's focus on tonight's show, which should be something very special. From what I've heard, the LA crowd will get treated to one of the non-standard D-E-F-G setlists, including that extra song and a guest musician (same one as in Newark/NYC) - my guess is E (variation of B) or possibly F (A variation). That said, since it's the last show I'm betting Rush will have some other unforeseen surprises in store for the crowd as well. The RushCon Rush fan convention kicked off last night in LA with an opening party at the Club Nokia VIP Lounge, and the main convention takes place all day today at the Belasco Theatre starting shortly at 9:30AM PST, and you can still register at the door. The Rush Backstage Club, Kevin J. Anderson and Fantoons will all have booths onsite, and there will be plenty of games and prizes along with the charity auction. Author Kevin J. Anderson along with Vertical Horizon's Matt Scannell will talk about their collaborations with Neil Peart and spin tales from their own personal creative ventures. Anderson will also be unveiling the cover of his upcoming Rush-themed short story anthology 2113, and Scannell will give a live performance. The festivities will be capped off with tonight's show and then continue into Sunday. In addition to all the festivities, the Rush fan documentary crew will be on hand for some filming. For those not attending RushCon, there will also be a pre-show Rush Rat gathering at Rock Bottom in Long Beach - details here. The show has a 7:30PM start time so the band will probably get going at 7:45PM. For everyone going tonight, have fun, stay safe and make sure to share your reports, reviews, photos and video with us. Thanks for an epic tour Rush!!!!!

It's hard to believe, but the R40 Live North American tour is down to its final two shows! Rush rolls into Orange County tonight to play the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre - their first outdoor show since May 30th in Bristow. Get updates and the setlist along with photos, video, reviews and reports here ...

A new book by author Bradley J. Birzer titled Neil Peart: Cultural Repercussions will release via Wordfire Press next month and you can get an early, ebook preview of the book as part of a special Humble Music Book Bundle ...

Musical comedy duo and YouTube sensation Ninja Sex Party released their new album Attitude City a couple of weeks ago. Attitude City is their third album and includes a song titled 6969 which is a parody of Rush's 2112 ...

Vegas baby! Rush takes the R40 Live tour to Sin City tonight to play the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 32nd and fourth-to-last show of the tour. Get updates and the setlist along with photos, video, reviews and reports here ...